Trap and submarine-mine construction.



.EIS.

TRA SU M STRUCTION.

LIGA LED] ,1917.

1 280, 026 .Patented Sept. 24, 1918.

* A TTORNE YS.

` this is in the ED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE HEISS,

OF BALDWIN, MICHIGAN.

TRAP AND SUBMARINE-MINE CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

nascose.

Patented Sept. 24, 1918.

Application led June 25, 1917. Serial No. 176,741.

vented Vcertain'new and useful Improvements in Trap and Submarine-Mine Construction, of which the following is a specication.

l This invention relates to an improved trap and submarine mine construction.

The objects ofthe invention are:

First, to provide an improved mine structure which will have a large radius of action for the destruction of submarines.

Second, to provide such a structure which is very light, simple and inexpensive to construct.

Third, to provide such a structure which is easy to place in position for its work.

Fourth, to provide such submarine mine so constructed that it does not adect the safety 0f navigation at the surface.

Further objects and objects relating to details `of construction and operation will definitely appear fromthe detailed description to follow.- i

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described` in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined in the claims. A. structure embodying a preferred form of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying` drawing, forming a part of this speciiication, in which:

Figure I is a detail elevation view of a structure embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. II is an enlarged detail view of the mine part and its connections to the outer rim for supporting the same.

Fig. III is an enlarged detail view of .the mine part and the connections for tripping the same.

rig. Iv is an enlarged daan @age am- 4tion view of the parts appearing 1n Fig.A

showing the relation of the mine support and the connections forrtripping the same.

In the drawings similar numerals of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views. i

The structure comprises a supportinglrim 1, preferably of about one-fourth inch rod, and in the structure illustrated, for example,

form of a ring of about ninetysix feet in diameter. The dimensions of the `ring ,will vary according to the depth ofthe waterV to be mined and should be of such dimension that it will reach from the bottom to within safe distance from the top for the passage of vessels on the surface;

say, for instance, a distance of within twentyn n five or thirty feet beneath the surface.

Radial rods 2 extend from this ring to the center and support a fiat disk-like mine 3 containing the charge, the rods 2 being connected thereto by clip pieces 4, or in any other desired manner. Contact firing pins 5 are provided for the mine.

A disk-like anchor weight 6 is to hold the lower side of the rim against the bottom, the same being secured to the rim and vertical radial rod 2 by ties 7 or by any other suitable means. A stiifener 6PL is also secured to the bottom side.

A float 9 which may be of a strip of cork or a pneumatic tube or any other suitable device, is secured to the top side of the rim and opposite the weight 6, to carry the upper side of the rim up toward the surface. rIhe float is suliicient to hold the structure in `vertical position in the water but not sufficient to raise the weight 6 above the bottom.. Y

A time fuse is provided to which are connected radial rods 11 which aresecured at their outer ends to a ring 12 which is in spaced relation to the mine 3, so as to permit freedom of movement of the ring in all directions for tripping the time fuse.V The .ring 12 is connected to the rim 1 by trip loops 13, the same being secured to the rim by clip wires la suitably spaced, and at their inner ends they are secured by suitable condisk-like relation around the mine within the outer rim 1. These loops are of such form and dimensions as to permitv the free passage of silt, seaweeddrift and `'similar ocean waste.

I have described -and illustrated the structure as about ninety-six feet in diameter. It is clear that it is practical to make the same of much larger `diameter and also that the same will be eiective if of'lesser diameter where the water is shallower, depending on the depth of the ocean bed or channel which is being mined.

The weight 6 for anchoring is made a flat disk so that will serve as arudder to swing preferred by me, vbut it is very clear-that any low the mine, the mine the structure with the ebb and flow of .the

Y distended..

In operation when the mine is in position, the nose of an advancing submarine, if vit comes within the outer rim, must, as it proceeds, pull upon one or anotherof the trip loops 13, which by its connection at once trips the `time fuse lO and sets it in operation. As the submarine advances, owing to the fact that the mine structure is very light, it will raise it from the bottom and the flat disk-like' lmine and the disk-like anchor, owing to the mannerl in which they are'secured in place, at once'serve asirudd'ers and guide the mine into contact with or in close relation to theside of the'advancing vsubmarine, no matter at what point orwhat position it hasV engaged :the device. ySo that if the vessel comes either to the.L right side or the left side ofthe mine, the mine will swing against the sideof the vessel; and if the nose of the vessell passes above 'the mine, the mine will swing up against thebottom; and if the noseofthe vessel passesat a point bewill be swung down onto the deck. t l

'This swinging motion'is suiicient to actu- Vate a contact firing pin and therefore Ihave provided such, indicated at 5 0n the mine, but the safest method is 'the time. fuse, which will be tripped as the vessel is advancing and insures the explosion even though the mine doesbnot fully contact. The structure is much more certain in its action by operating with the time fuse, but it willl be very effective if operated-by the -contact Vfiringv pin. u

I have shown Ithe structure i'nthe form mesh work disposed within the Vouterjrim n y and connected to the time fuse would operate quite effectively, although the' particular arrangementl that I have referred to possesses Y merits in the particularsI have indicated..

Y The' matterv of dimensionis controlled by the circumstances under which Athe device is vtobe used.v 'The loops 13 may have a width,

andin fact preferably have a width, of about fifteen feet, this being sufficiently sma1l 'not to passl over'the driving rudders'lof afsubmarine and at the'sametimepractically v1n- 'suringfthe' passage ofthe nose VVof a submarine Well throughthe structure to insureits f Y most effectiveV action. Thestructure practically wlll' not be* engaged or acteduponVV by enemy.y It will be seen' from this explanation that a ship passing above and coming in contact with the outside of the rim l will pass Without operating the device', and in the event the propeller should accidentally engage the same and becomel entangled the explosion would occur at such a distance back yof the -ves'sel that it Ywould be harmless. The depth V.at which the structure is used and the form of it will make thisV accident Well nigh impossible butit will behobserved that such is fully provided'for. Q f' Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: r

fuse therefor, contact firing pins vonthe sides Vof said' mine, radial cross rod supports for said mine for maintaining the mine vin position, radially disposed trip-loops insliding engagement with eachother, secured to sai-d rim, a central connection ring for thesaid trip loops, Vand Yconnections therefrom Vtothe time fuse, coacting for the purpose specified.

2. Ina submarine-mine structure, the vcom- Y binationV of' a metallic rimVv anchored with a disk-shaped Weight and a stiffener at the bottom, with suitable ioat atthe top, a centrally disposeddisk-shaped mine, a time fuse therefor, radial cross rod lsupportsforsaid mine for maintaining.-V the mine in position,

yradially disposed trip loops insliding engagement withV each other, secured tosaid rim, a central connectionV ring 'for said trip loops, and yconnections therefrom to thetime fuse, coactingxfor the purpose specified.

8, In a submarine mine lstructi1re,`thv `=i combina'tion of a metallicl rimanchored with 'a disk-shaped `weight Y andf` a s'tiffener a-t the trally disposed disk-shaped mine, a'timefuse therefor, .radial cross rod supports forsaid mine for maintainingthe mine in position, radially disposedtrip loops secured to said rim, a central 'connection' ringfor the said trip loops, and connections therefromy to the time fuse, coacting forthe purpose specified.

4,; In a submarine mine structurethe combination of a metallic Vrim anchored with a bottom, with suitable Heat at the top,7'a ceni weight at the bottom,fwith suitable float at 'A the 4top, aY centrally disposed vmine, a; time fuse thereforLradial cross rodvsupports Vfor Asaid mine for maintaining the mine in' posisaid rim, afcentral connectionfor the-said i' Ytrip' 1 (Y ps'and connections therefrom to the 1 time fuse,'coacting for the Vpurpose'specified. Z Y n 5'. Inasubmarine mine-structure, the cornthe usual mine sweeping devices, and if itv .ddQbecOmeengaged, A fplode and'n'ot fall into the` hands "of an bination of a metallic rim with: an anchor, at

nected to and supported by the said rim, a time fuse for said mine, contact firing pins, a loop structure disposed Within the said rim and connected to the said time fuse adapted to operate the said fuse by contact of a moving submarine, the structure being adapted to fold about the body of the submarine and bring the mine into position to act on the same, coacting for the purpose specified.

6. In a submarine mine structure, the combination of a metallic rim with an anchor at the bottom and a suitable iioat at the top, a centrally disposed mine connected to and supported by the said rim, a time fuse for said mine, Contact firing pins, a loop struc ture disposed Within the said rim and connected to the said time fuse adapted to opn erate the said fuse by contact of a moving submarine, the structure being adapted to fold about the body of the submarine and bring the mine into position to act on the same, coacting for the purpose specified.

7. In a submarine mine structure, the con1- bination of a metallic rim with an anchor at the bottom and a suitable ioat at the top, a

centrally disposed mine connected to and supported by the said rim, contact firing pins, a loop structure disposed Within the said rim, the structure being adapted to fold about the body of the submarine and bring the mine into position to act on the same, coacting for the purpose speciied.

8. In a submarine mine structure, the combination of a metallic rim With an anchor at the bottom and a suitable iioat at the top, a centrally disposed mine connected to and supported by the said rim, a time fuse for said mine, a loop structure disposed Within the said rim and connected to the said time fuse adapted to operate the said fuse by contact of a moving submarine, the structure being adapted to fold about the body of thesubmarine and bring the mine into contact With the same, coacting Jfor the purpose specified.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

TI-IEODORE HEISS. [1.. s] Witnesses:

LUELLA G. GREENFIELD, MARGARET L. GLASGOW.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, 1D. 0." 

